Through our Epicenter Strategy, we aim to shift people’s perspectives in every aspect of life that contributes to the cycle of hunger and poverty or impedes progress. One pillar of this strategy is our Vision, Action and Commitment (VCA) workshops, where individuals and communities create clear visions for the future and commit to the sustainable eradication of hunger and poverty. To date, VCA workshops have reached over 2 million people.
Have you heard of the 5 principles of change to ending hunger?
- Mindset change – Shifting the belief that hunger and poverty will always be part of their lives, to the belief that hunger and poverty can be ended and that the community themselves are the ones who have the power to achieve this.
- Good leadership – Emphasizing the need for good leadership, including from Traditional Local Leaders, in ending hunger and poverty.
- Vision – Envisioning what an end to hunger and poverty would look like for community members.
- Commitment – Encouraging the community to publicly declare their commitment to attaining this vision.
- Taking action – Taking concrete steps to achieve their goals.
Hear from inpsiring community members who are leading local change through the Vision, Action and Commitment workshops.
Thank you to The Hunger Project-Benin for what they do for the community and me. Ever since I started earning my own income, the disputes with my husband have considerably decreased because he recognizes my place and my usefulness in the household. I also realized a project that was very important to me: owning a plot of land as a woman.
Kossigu, business and land owner
The climate crisis has made it more difficult to farm here, as the rain patterns have changed. The Hunger Project-Benin has taught us is to look carefully at when we start planting. The training sessions help us to farm differently and to cope better with an unpredictable climate. As an animator, I have taken several trainings and now people see me as an expert. That makes me proud.
Issa, Animator and the Epicenter Committee President at Sonon-Guinagourou Epicenter
The Hunger Project-Benin has shown that by working together, we achieve more. For example, we now have a high school that we arranged ourselves. We are proud that we made these investments ourselves. This shows what we can achieve as a team.
Seidou, participant of Women’s Empowerment Program
Image: Group image from Malawi, 2022
Photo for The Hunger Project
